Maryland military medical campus raises traffic issues

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ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) - Relief is in sight for those worried about increased traffic when the new Walter Reed National Military Medical Center opens in Bethesda Sept. 15.

U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen said Monday he expects the Defense Department to publish rules this week telling municipalities how to apply for millions of dollars to reduce traffic congestion from military hospital expansions caused by base realignment and closure.

One such project is Walter Reed's relocation from the District of Columbia to the National Naval Medical Center campus.

Montgomery County officials say they hope to obtain $100 million to $150 million to mitigate congestion at four intersections in an area that is already jammed with traffic.

The projects include upgrading roads and the Medical Center Metro station to serve an estimated 4,000 more visitors daily.